Varieties of Large Onions

Large onions can weight as much as 2 pounds each.

Onions classified as colossal, jumbo and large to medium, also come in a variety of crispness, with flavors from very mild to very pungent. Growing onions takes fertile, free-draining soil and an open, sunny spot for the best results. Long-day onions work best in northern states, while short-day onions are ideal for more southern zones where the length of daylight is shorter. Sweet onions contain more water and less sulfur than the more pungent types, making them sweeter but less well-suited for long-term storage.

Sweet

Hearty and easy to grow, the "Ailsa Craig," a long-day variety, is a large, sweet onion with smooth yellow to brown skin. This variety averages 1 to 2 pounds per onion. When allowed to dry, this onion will keep from one to three, perhaps four months. Other large, long-day varieties include the "Yellow Sweet Spanish" and "Big Daddy."

White

Ideal for onion rings, the hybrid "Ringmaster" is a large white, mild tasting, crisp long-day variety, as is the "Sterling." Both of these varieties have green leafy foliage which protects the growing bulbs from sun damage. The "Snow White" hybrid is another large, long-day onion. This variety has a milder taste than most whites and weighs in around 1 pound. All three varieties can be eaten raw or cooked.

Yellow

A long-day yellow onion, the "Walla Walla" has golden yellow, paper-thin skin and a mild to sweet crispy flavor. These large onions have high water content, which makes them so crispy, but they don't do well in long-term storage. Yellow "Ebenezer" onions, another long-day variety with golden skin and a pale yellow fruit, has a much stronger flavor and can average as much as 1 pound or more in a good growing season.

Red

Red onions generally grow slightly smaller than the large white and yellows. While several red varieties are mild, others can pack a strong, tear-jerking punch. "Southport Red Globes," a long-day variety, is firm and pungent and easy to grow making it excellent for home gardens and for long-term storage. "Sweet Spanish" onions, another red variety, can grow as large as 2 pounds.

About the Author

Based in Atlanta, Valerie Liles has been writing about landscape and garden design since 1980. As a registered respiratory therapist, she also has experience in family health, nutrition and pediatric and adult asthma managment. Liles holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in technical communication from the University of Colorado.